College students launch blog to boost passion for protecting environment in Georgia

Feb 23, 2010

“Wilderness – U” hopes to motivate next generation of conservationists

ATHENS, GA. — Seven college students from the University of Georgia launched a blog today that’s aimed at activating students across the state to visit and protect the Georgia outdoors. Consulting with The Wilderness Society, the “Wilderness U – Georgia” blog will provide an online forum to discuss topics ranging from conserving water in student housing to contacting Congress about the need to protect Georgia’s natural resources.

“We want the blog to be an open forum that inspires students to experience and protect the environment,” said Lauren Rohde, a senior public relations major heading up the Wilderness – U initiative. “It is a great place for students from different schools across Georgia to organize and share ideas about how we can enjoy and preserve Georgia's outdoors.”

The blog’s creators are contacting students and university-based environmental organizations throughout Georgia to broaden the base of blog contributors, content and readers. Blog posts will range from upcoming environmental events to feature stories on nature experiences. Current posts featured on the blog include tips students can use to live a greener life, more efficient student residence halls, and information encouraging water conservation in Georgia.

Founders of Wilderness – U are students participating in Creative Consultants, a student-run PR firm hosted by the University of Georgia’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. Through this organization, the students have been working with The Wilderness Society since August 2009. The idea for the project resulted from a conversation that began when University of Georgia public relations students met with alumni such as Wilderness Society Communications Director Christopher Lancette who work in Washington D.C.

“Wilderness – U is a great tool that will strengthen the bond college students have with wild places throughout Georgia and the country,” Lancette said. “From Dalton to Savannah, green issues are hot topics on college campuses. This is a great opportunity for students everywhere to use their passion to make a difference.”

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